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When the Russian "Red Stars" played at Yale last Friday, the stark language barrier between the MHL all-star squad and the defending NCAA champions led to a bit of pre-game confusion.

According to Yale sports information director Steve Conn, the teams were supposed to exchange gifts after the lineups were announced, but the Red Stars were assuming that the national anthems were about to be played. So after their intros, the entire Russian team turned toward the flags, with their backs to the Yale players as the home team's captains skated to center ice.